achildofaphroditee

[achildofaphroditee]

Just so we all know: I do not accept AI here

You use and/or support AI? Actually get off of my blog. Leave. You know how to leave, so fucking leave

I do not support AI in the slightest and - I can assure you - AI will never be used on this blog for any reason. I do not incorporate AI slop in my beloved worship

And apologies if I am coming off as harsh. I just want my stance on AI to be known, and said stance is firmly NO AI. NONE AT ALL

[achildofaphroditee]

every time it rains (like RIGHT NOW!!!) i think of zeus!and although i don't worship him, i'd like to. anyway, hail the gods!

[achildofaphroditee]

re this post

https://www.tumblr.com/aliciavance4228/786944508458860544/vampires-and-werewolves-are-beings-of-european?source=share

because you got me interested into this subject but I can't find too many facts about them on google.

Strigoi

Strigoi are, in Romanian Mythology, the evil souls of the dead, who are believed to rise from their graves at night and transform into animals or ghostly apparitions in order to cause harm to the living.

Strigoi were initially creatures from the Dacian Mythology, later adopted by romanians. Dacians considered the strigoi to represent evil, the spirits of the dead whose deeds were not worthy of entering the "Kingdom of Zamolxis", but because these stories were only orally transmitted, the legend has lost its original content. Romanians then transformed them into bloodthirsty creatures with the power to take any form and control the minds of those vulnerable from this point of view (people under the influence of alcohol, people with mental problems, etc.). This word is derived from the romanian "strigă" ("to scream"), which is also derived from the Italian "strega", which means "witch". There are many references to these entities in our folklore through stories about the undead.

There are two types of strigoi: dead and living. A female strigoi is called strigoaică. The living strigoi are born from a pregnant woman who either drinks unclean water mixed with devilish mud, or walks at night with her head bare. Satan then comes and puts a red cap (chitie), like his own. To prevent the child from turning into a strigoi, the cap must be removed from the child's head as soon as possible, otherwise it is said that the child pulls it out and swallows it, transforming into a strigoi. The dead strigoi come from children who die unbaptized, people who did evil deeds during their living, people who died of a "quick" death (hanged, drowned, shot etc.), people who commited suicide, corpses who were left unattended during convalescence and then an animal such as a cat, dog, chicken or any other bird walked over its body etc. This belief later gave birth to the custom of surpervising someone's dead body when it's still in the house, in order to prevent animals from sitting on it.

It is said that the strigoi is bald on top of his head. He does not eat garlic and onions, avoids incense, and towards Saint Andrew's Day he sleeps outside. His spine is extended in the shape of a tail, covered with hair. If there is a drought in a village, it means that there is a strigoaică who prevents the rains; if it rains with stones (hail), God punishes the strigoaica who doesn't allow the "clean rain fall", and if it rains with sunshine, it is believed that one of the strigoaice gets married.

The strigoi take milk from the cows, take the manna of the wheat, the strength of people, stop the rains, bring hail and bring death among men and cattle. On Saint George's Day (April 23rd), the boys "water" the girls so that they won't suffer because of strigoi, but also so that they don't turn into these creatures as well.

To kill them, the grave of the supposed strigoi is searched and the order is read to him by the priests and an oak, yew or branch is struck in his heart, it is pierced with a nail or a knife, to remain bound of the coffin and not being able to go out to do mischief.

Moroi

Moroi are believed to come from the dead infants who died before getting baptized, who got killed or buried alive, or from an "uncorrupted" corpse who hasn't receibed a religious service. Moroi are believed to cry at night and ask for their baptism. They originate from dacian mythology as well, where in this context "baptize" rather refers to a sacred bathing, as those people were not christian back then. A female moroi is called moroaică.

It is believed that the soul of a child emerges from the grave in the form of a ray of light. The souls of these dead children become wanderers, as they are not welcomed in the church nor the cemetery. They are usually given a bag, a pot and a stick during their burying. The pot is for collecting water, while the stick is for protection from other Moroi.

These are also creatures than can be found in the Hungarian Folklore as well, and stories about them differ from one region to another. Some people consider that a moroi can be born from two strigoi, whereas others that moroi and strigoi are one and the same creature.

Pricolic

The pricolic is an evil spirit some people transform into after their death, who can take the form of animals. Like the strigoi, they raise from their grave to harm people. But while the strigoi resemble the form they had in their lifetime, the pricolici always appear as wolves or large, fierce dogs. It is believed that truly evil people turn into pricolici after death and continue to harm innocent ones.

Furthermore, the pricolici are known in the world of the living as children made from the union of 1st and 2nd degree relatives, being born either with a tail or two "bumps" on their heads, signifying devil horns. The pricolici are also shown in Romanian Mythology as children with an endless energy, who only cause mischief and harm to other people, and communicate with animals to cause damage - such as cattle to stop giving milk, chickens to stop giving eggs, dogs, etc.

[achildofaphroditee]

introduction ! ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ꒰ about me ꒱

⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣

₊ ⊹ hello and welcome to my blog! my name is katiana, kat for short. i'm a minor who uses any pronouns but her! i have a lot of interests, such as httyd, b99, and music! i love the cure and mitski, and i consider myself goth despite not dressing it at all lol!

₊ ⊹ i naturally still have a lot to learn about myself, the paths i pursue and the paths i do not pursue!

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ꒰ about my blog and practice ꒱

⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣

₊ ⊹ i'm devoted to aphrodite, and this blog is for her! i worship other deities, such as artemis, selene, apollon, dionysus and athena! i am in no way an educator, i'm here to give ideas that i use in my own practice <3

₊ ⊹ i've been practising since last october (october 2024) and i prefer not to use labels on myself, so i prefer not to call myself a hellenic polytheist/pagan (although i still use the tags for it), especially now that i'm becoming interested in another pantheon (the irish pantheon specifically!)

₊ ⊹ i hope this blog may prove useful to some people as inspiration!!! not as an education source lol!

₊ ⊹ i might shitpost, or go inactive for periods of time because i don't get ideas of what to post often.

₊ ⊹ okay, i think that's it!! my asks are open, and i really want mutuals/friends here <3

⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣

[achildofaphroditee]

i can bear to go two days without eating but I cannot bear to see my sis slowly dying in front of me due to malnutrition fuck israel...

i have no energy to move forward but im still trying for my little sister who is like the moon who is exhausted from hunger and malnutrition

this is my last appeal everyone here knows me and trusts me please donate to save my sister we need €400 urgently

Donation link here or paypal here Verification here

[achildofaphroditee]

"As a Hellenic Polytheist, you can't-"

Well, what if I want to, man? What if I'm tired of these random rules people are pulling out of their asses? What if I no longer want to be made to feel like my body itself is impure for being made of flesh and bone, rather than the ichor that the gods have running through their veins? What if I'm frustrated by the idea that the gods are so far above us mortals that they're entirely out of reach? What if I don't want to believe that I have to beg the gods for attention or bribe them with gifts for them to even acknowledge my existence? What if I just flat-out don't want to think that way and never wanted to? What then?

Does that mean I'm not a Hellenic Polytheist in your eyes or that I am now abandoned by the gods I thoroughly love, as much as you do? Does that mean that all of my religious experiences are immediately made invalid because you have deemed it so? Does that devalue the years of devotion and learning that I've done on my own time, just because you, a random Tumblr user, have decided that I don't fit well enough into your neat little mold of what a Hellenic Polytheist should be? I never wanted to fit into that mold.

I am so sick and tired of the rules people have been trying to force onto others. I'm frustrated by the intolerance. I'm exhausted by the drama. Sometimes, I don't want to even speak in this community anymore because of how judgemental and scrutinous some people are. There's being blunt, and there's being an asshole. There's being informative, and there's being defensive. There's correcting someone politely, and there's attacking them. Just let people breathe, good gods.

[achildofaphroditee]

i ♡ aphrodite

i love and appreciate aphrodite so much that's the whole post ok bai !!

[achildofaphroditee]

This is a reminder that

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!

I know it may feel like that right now, but trust me.

For example, here are some mental disorders I deal with (diagnosed)

- Depression episodes

- Anxiety

- Social communication disorder (provincial)

- social anxiety

- separation anxiety

- self love (this isn’t really a mental disorder, so much as a mindset I guess?)

And a whole lotta other things, you are not alone! Especially not here. My community is being built on communication and trust, any and all hate on someone will be removed, you have my word.

And please, never take your life. The world will keep turning, but you’ll miss everything you’ve ever lived for before, trust me. I’ve tried, twice.

You are important, my friend. Don’t ever forget that.. if you have nobody irl, you have someone here.

My Dms are always open:)

[achildofaphroditee]

⋆˚࿔ Aphrodite is with those who struggle with dysmorphia

⋆˚࿔ Aphrodite is with those who have had toxic relationships

⋆˚࿔ Aphrodite is with those relearning trust and love

⋆˚࿔ Aphrodite is with those struggling to accept themselves

⋆˚࿔ Aphrodite is with those who are healing from abuse

⋆˚࿔ Aphrodite is with those who dislike intimacy

⋆˚࿔ Aphrodite is with those who are triggered by sex

⋆˚࿔ Aphrodite is with those who experience gender dysphoria

[achildofaphroditee]

hail mother aphrodite <3

Aphrodite Epithets

Philommeidês(Φιλομμειδης) - Laughter-Loving

Philommêdês(Φιλομμηδης) - Genital-Loving

Aphrogeneia(Αφρογενεια) - Foam-Born

Khryseê(Χρυσεη) - Golden

Dia(Δια) - Diving, Shining

Dios Thugatêr(Διος θυγατηρ) - Daughter of Zeus

Pothôn Mêtêr(Ποθων Μητηρ) - Mother of Desire

Eustephanos(Ευστεφανος) - Richly Crowned, Well Girdled

Ourania(Ουρανια) - Heavenly, Divine(Love)

Pandêmos(Πανδημος) - Common to All People(Love)

Makhanitis(Μαχανιτις) - Deviser, Contriver

Epistrophia(Επιστροφια) - She who Turns to (Love)

Apostrophia(Αποστροφια) - Averter of (unlawful desires)

Kataskopia(Κατασκοπια) - Spying, Peeping

Psithyristês(Ψιθυριστης) - Whispering

Praxis(Πραξις) - Action(Sexual)

Melainis(Μελαινις) - Black(Of Night)

Symmakhia(Συμμαχια) - Ally(In Love)

Apatouros(Απατουρος) - Deceptive One

Nymphia(Νυμφια) - Bridal

Migôntis(Μιγωντις) - Union(Marital)

Dôritis(Δωριτις) - Bountiful

Hêrê(Ἡρη) - Of Hera(Of Marriage)

Morphô(Μορφω) - Of Shapely Form

Ambologêra(Αμβολογηερα) - Postponer of Old Age

Nikêphoros(Νικηφορος) - Bringer of Victory

Areia(Αρεια) - Of Ares, Warlike

Hôplismenê(Ὡπλισμενη) - Armed

Euploia(Ευπλοια) - Fair Voyage

Pontia(Ποντια) - Of The Sea

Limenia(Λιμενια) - Of The Harbour

Xenia(Ξενια) - Of The Foreigner

These might not be all of them, I apologize if I missed any.

Big thanks to Theoi.com for helping me out on this post.

[achildofaphroditee]

Generative AI has no right to be in HelPol spaces .ᐟ.ᐟ

I can say honestly that I have used generative AI in the past. I have never used ChatGPT but to say I haven’t at all would be disingenuous.

Me and my partner found a website that generated memes (awfully) and found it funny. This was about early 2024, it was a one time thing, and it hasn’t been touched since. (This Meme Does Not Exist) — I acknowledge that a year ago we probably should’ve known, I’m not sure why we didn’t think about it, we truly didn’t know.

I have also looked at Google’s AI for a quick answer before scrolling down or even closing the tab entirely. I feel so guilty about my contribution, more so that I did that at the same time I started practicing paganism, but I want to say I apologise and will not knowingly use, post, or spread AI going forward. Especially for Google, I will think about looking past the AI overview no matter how “easy” it will be to get an answer. (I mention this later)

Since last year, AI has exploded, with people encouraging it to people giving all they got to remove it. I learned very quickly how harmful AI is not only for the environment but for creators. AI is generative PURELY because it takes from others, it can never make something of its own. Talk of AI is everywhere on the internet by now, there aren’t many excuses to not have at least heard something about its negative impact.

Before I left school, I saw my peers boast openly about how they used ChatGPT and even had a teacher of mine encourage it. I found it shocking. This isn’t a matter of struggling with school work and assignments, this is not being able to think for yourselves. Find your teacher, find a tutor, find a textbook, find online resources. That’s the issue. As said earlier, it’s easy and fast. People want answers? Want something funny? Boom. It’s there. That’s how people get sucked into it.

Back to HelPol spaces

Using AI to write posts about Hellenic Polytheism straight up rips off actual academic authors !! and other Tumblr users. Using AI to generate “art” of the gods takes from actual artists who put work and effort in, unlike you. I’ve seen so many beautiful drawings from those in the HelPol community, some that are heartfelt, amusing, or captured how I see a deity.

AI is empty, void, and cold. It doesn’t and will never have the imperfections or the lines done by the human mind. It doesn’t have the soul and determination to create.

AI takes away the freedom for a creator to post their works. If you practice Hellenic polytheism, do you not think this goes against gods of art? Of music? Of poetry? Any kind of medium. Think of what the gods stand for too: nature, animals, the world.

(I speak to those using AI who are also HelPol, but you absolutely do not need to be religious to want to protect the rights of creators and the Earth)

Please talk about the gods, create for the gods even if it isn’t pro-level art. Please write for the gods even if it’s a small drabble that has spelling mistakes and grammar issues. Do your best. But don’t turn to AI because it’ll be quick, or you’re struggling, or because you think it’ll get you pumping out a lot of posts for likes.

AI doesn’t come from a brain, or a heart, it is a machine that takes and spits out what it learned from human beings. People that put in time to write what they did, time to draw what they did.

Think for yourselves. Don’t let the machine do it for you.

@pixilatedwitchery and @dancing-with-maenads list of HelPol (and general pagan) accounts that use AI — here

[achildofaphroditee]

my amazing friend jade!!!

. ⏾ ݁˖ Introduction ,

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⟡ ݁ ꒰ hellenic pagan / polytheist - religious blog ꒱ ⸝⸝ 

₊˚ෆㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ₊˚ ꒰ about my blog ::

⸝⸝ Welcome and hello ! for some basic info about me, my name is jade / autumn or aubs, im a minor, and i go by any/all pronouns - but prefer non-masculine ones . i am a devotee of the divine huntress, and she will be the focus of my page, as it will serve as a digital shrine / devotional blog! and - just a disclaimer!! - i am in no means an educator, gods know i still have a lot to learn myself, im purely here to share my practice, journey, and love for lady artemis <3 .

⸝⸝ As for my practice , i am a beginner when it comes to witchcraft . i have been interested in it for quite a long time - ever since I was a very young child - and although i took an interest into researching years ago, i never really got too into it . since around november last year / 2024 i have started getting back into it! as much as I would love to be a green witch, being so close to the beginning of my journey, im hoping to just get a feel for the craft before ‘specializing’ . id also like to get into ancient greek sorcery some day !

₊˚ෆㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ₊˚ ꒰ other ::

⸝⸝ As for any sort of DNI list : i do not support wicca, AI, or any sort of discrimination such as racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, etc!! all kind & respectful people are welcome <3 .

⸝⸝ Thank you for reading through my blog ! another thing to note is i may have short absences often, but ill turn up again soon after lol! if youd like to see more content from me i also have a tiktok page going by the user “ adaughterofartemis ” ! thank you, once again, and may the gods bless you <3 . ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ㅤ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ .𖥔 ݁ ˖ divider creds : @/dollywons

[achildofaphroditee]

Do you have any recommended apps for digital altars?

𓂃﹏𓂃﹏𓂃﹏𓂃﹏𓂃﹏𓂃﹏𓂃﹏𓂃﹏

hello!! im so so sorry i didn't see this sooner (no clue how long it's been sitting in my inbox) but i have a couple options for digital altars!

so probably the 'least' effort one (although im sure your deity or who/whatever you're making a digital altar for appreciates it all the same!) is a picrew! i have the link right here! v

my next recommendation is this app named 'window garden', it's like a lofi game, very cute! you take care of lots of plants and there's decorations like candles, incense, general things you can put on a physical altar! it's very cute, totally recommend! (available on apple and android!)

the last option is probably the most time consuming, but you can just find a pretty nature background and a table/stone slab, along with offering ideas like candles, incense, tarot cards, crystals, and put those into your drawing app like ibis paint x or whatever you use! just remove the backgrounds and arrange them how you like!

i hope these ideas helped and your digital altar making goes well <3

𓂃﹏𓂃﹏𓂃﹏𓂃﹏𓂃﹏𓂃﹏𓂃﹏𓂃﹏

[achildofaphroditee]

°˖➶ Digital offering to Lady Artemis !

[achildofaphroditee]

Hellenism and Menstruation

I see, pretty often, people thinking they're not allowed to worship or pray when they're on their period, and since I'm currently on mine, I figured I'd clear this up a little, especially for new worshippers who may not know yet.

It's a common misconception that being on your period makes you dirty, unclean, and that you shouldn't pray during this time. I've even seen people claim that it's miasma.

These ideas are ancient and from a very misogynistic society. Not only that, but they didn't have the same hygiene practices and products we do today. So back then, women, more commonly poorer women, would likely just free bleed at home, which, as you can imagine, was messy.

Today, we have better hygiene practices, products, and we know how things like diseases transmit.

As long as you are clean and hygienic, it's fine. It's why we wash our hands and faces before we touch the altar or pray, we just have to be clean and presentable.

As long as you're not somehow getting blood on the altar, it's okay.

To add to this, I've even seen some sources that say that our periods are sacred, powerful, and connect us to Lady Artemis, as it is feminine (if you are transmasc, this part doesn't have to apply to you 🫶), and like the phases of the moon, it is a monthly cycle.

I've seen that this time of the month is a time for us to rest, and that bleeding is sometimes seen as the body's way of naturally cleansing itself.

I do not believe that you're "not allowed" to pray if you are menstruating. I believe that this is a time where you are encouraged to rest and take care of yourself, especially if your periods are particularly painful.

I always take this time to rest and take a break from my practice, not because I think I'm not allowed, or like it's misasmic, but because I always feel gross on my periods.

I'm hot, I sweat much more than the average person, I'm lethargic, I sometimes don't have the energy to change my clothes, I get nauseous, I get easily irritated which to me, isn't the right headspace for deity worship. But this is personal, so if you were blessed with non-painful periods and you can function on them, you do what feels best for you.

The closest I got to worship today was thinking of Asclepius as I took pain meds, and that's okay.

And if you're new and coming from a Christian background, no, the gods will not be mad at you if you take a break. They've been around for forever, they've seen humanity grow and evolve. They've seen us at our lowest moments, and for some people that includes being hunched over in pain or laying in bed all day because you're on your period.

They will understand, no one will get mad at you for a bodily function that's out of your control. It is pretty hard to anger a god unless you're actively defying or disrespecting them, or unless you've murdered someone in cold blood.

You're fine. You'll be okay.

[achildofaphroditee]

Queerness in the Hellenic Pantheon

One of the many beautiful things about the Hellenic pantheon is how queer it is. In a world where Abrahamic religions have shamed, ostracized or denigrated queer people, Hellenism has a celebration and normalization of queerness integrated into it.

💜 Aphrodite’s biggest fan in Ancient Greece was arguably Sappho, a poet who dedicated an entire iconic piece to the goddess of love, “Ode to Aphrodite”. In the poem, Sappho prays to Aphrodite for help in regards to gaining the attention and affection of the woman she loves. Unlike the male writers of the time who often slandered her, Sappho depicted the goddess as the truly lovely, benevolent being she is.

Sappho was a lesbian. This is where we get the term “sapphic” from. Not only that but she was from the island of Lesbos. So, yes, this is where lesbian originated. (The name of the island is the same as the derogatory term used to refer to wlw back in the day)

💜 Almost none of the male Olympian deities are straight. Apollo, Dionysus, Zeus and Hermes are notorious for their bisexuality/pansexuality, with many male lovers, both human and divine. Even Ares and Poseidon dabbled a bit in same-sex love, though to a much lesser degree.

💜 Artemis, Athena, and Hestia, the three “virgin goddesses”, are seen as asexual and aromantic. In ancient contexts, “virgin” can simply mean “unmarried woman” or “independent of a man”. But, they actually had no interest in romantic or sexual matters. Artemis and Athena are occasionally labeled lesbian, with female lovers cited, but this is often debated. In any case, they had no interest in male companionship.

💜 Aphrodite had a male version of her named Aphroditus that was worshipped in ancient times. The deity had a combination of male and female attributes, described as voluptuous while also having a phallus and, by some accounts, a beard.

Aphroditus is often seen as an earlier version of Hermaphroditus, the intersex deity that was the offspring of both Aphrodite and Hermes.

💜 Dionysus is famously androgynous. He was often described as being “raised as a girl”, due to the nymphs dressing him in female clothing to disguise him from Hera. He was also called “man-womanish” and effeminate.

The best way to describe him would be gender-fluid. He is generally male and can have clear masculine traits. But, he strongly adopts feminine characteristics, to the point where it is a major part of his mythology, and often seems to exist in some gray area in between male and female.

💜 Both Apollo and Dionysus have famous tragic myths about the loss of their male lovers, who both die in freak accidents. Apollo’s human partner Hyancinthus was turned into the hyacinth flower upon his death while Dionysus’ lover, the satyr Ampelus, was transformed into a vine and led to the god’s creation of wine.

💜 The Erotes are a group of male divinities in Aphrodite’s retinue and often said to be her sons. They are the protectors of same-sex love. The central figure of the group is Eros and all the other gods are said to be his brothers and/or different manifestations of him.

The Erotes rule various aspects of love and sex. Eros is love and desire as a whole while Anteros, his twin, embodies requited and reciprocal love. Himeros is the god of satiated desire yet unrequited love while Pothos is a god who embodies emotional and sexual yearning.

One can see how these minor gods can guide queer people struggling with love. When Timagoras confessed his love for Meles, the man mockingly told him to prove it by jumping off a cliff. Out of despair, Timagoras did just that, killing himself. Tortured by guilt, Meles did the same. An altar was built to Anteros in Athens in honor of this, linking the god to a myth of how rejecting love out of fear or pride only hurts you; a tale familiar to repressed queer people. Anteros is said to punish those who push real love away (in truth, he more so guides than punishes).

💜 In modern times, devotees of Dionysus regard him as a patron god of queer people. Many of those who follow him are gay, bisexual, gender-fluid or trans. He provides a sense of safety, comfort, protection and freedom to his queer devotees or even just any queer person who prays to him or asks for help.

Aphrodite is also said to be a protector of queer people. As the goddess of love, she is the embodiment of “love is love”. She has also been said to be a wonderful support to trans women, as she champions feminine expression in all forms and all people.

Happy Pride to all of us in the LGBTQ+ community. The gods love you!

[achildofaphroditee]

thank you jade!!

➶ Nature epithets of Artemis !

➸・daphnaie - of the laurel tree

➸・heleia - of the marshes

➸・kedreatis - of the cedar tree

➸・karyai - of the walnut tree

➸・limnaie - of the lake

➸・lygodesme - willow-bound

➸・eurynome - of broad pastures